Oregon Politics: Legislative session winds to an end, or maybe not

Our regular Monday roundup of Oregon political news is dominated by the Oregon legislative session, which just might not meet its targeted Wednesday adjournment date.

The Oregonian's Michelle Cole takes a look at the fights over job-related legislation that are holding up lawmakers. Republicans are focused on boosting agriculture and timber and providing business tax breaks while Democrats want to boost public works spending. Gov. John Kitzhaber is trying to negotiate a go-home deal that results in passage of his education and health care initiatives.

The Salem Statesman-Journal quotes House Co-speaker Bruce Hanna, R-Roseburg, as noting that the new annual sessions law allows legislators to keep working for 35 days -- which could put the end of the session on March 6, the same day as the filing deadline for the May primary.

CREDIT UNIONS: Credit unions have become big political spenders in Salem, which has helped them expand their business in Oregon, The Oregonian's Brent Hunsberger reports.WASHINGTON SALES TAX: Oregonians who buy goods in Washington would no longer be exempt from the sales tax under a bill being considered in the Washington Legislature, The Oregonian's Justin Runquist reports. The money gained by repealing the exemption would fund all-day kindergarten. But business groups are opposed, saying it would particularly hurt retailers in the Vancouver area and other border regions.

PLASTIC BAG BAN: The City of Eugene may follow the lead of Portland other cities in banning plastic grocery bags, according to the Eugene Register-Guard.